A Deal That Hid His Concern Behind Anger #2
"Take your time.But I want the complete report on my desk." Aarav said, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular.
"Understood, sir. Do not worry. I will handle it.Good night ,sir." His assistant said.
"Good night." Aarav replied.
The call ended.
For the next hour, he sat alone in the living room.
The house remained silent. Yet his mind refused to rest.
Exactly one hour later, the doorbell rang.
Aarav stood immediately and opened the door.
A delivery man stood outside holding a neatly wrapped package.
After confirming the order and thanking him briefly, Aarav took the box and headed upstairs.
Then he reached Meera's room . He knocked her door.
No response.
He knocked again.Still nothing.
Aarav stared at the closed door.His lips pressed into a thin line.He knew exactly what she was doing it intentionally.
"Meera, open the door," he called out, trying to remain patient.
His patience lasted all of three seconds.
"Meera,If you do not open it right now. I am going to start shouting." he warned, his voice growing firmer.
Still nothing.Aarav rubbed his forehead.
Inside the room, Meera froze.
"Everyone in the house will wake up, come out here, and see exactly what is going on."Aarav continued to said.
His tone carried a dangerous confidence.
" And you will be the one feeling embarrassed, not me.Now open the door." He said.
Inside the room, Meera clenched her jaw.Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"This shameless man. Then listen to me.." she muttered angrily.
Unfortunately, she knew he was fully capable of carrying out his threat.
With an annoyed groan, she stomped toward the door and unlocked it.
The second the door opened, she grabbed Aarav's arm and yanked him inside.
Then she quickly locked the door again.Turning around, she glared at him furiously.
"Why are you back here again?" she demanded, her eyes blazing with frustration.
Aarav remained completely unfazed.
Meera crossed her arms.
"Did I not clearly tell you to leave and not come back to my room?"Her voice was sharp enough to cut glass.
For a moment, Aarav said nothing.
He simply looked at her.
Then he slowly raised his hand.A small box rested in his palm.
Without a word, he held it out toward her.
Meera's angry expression faltered slightly.
Confusion flickered across her face.
Aarav continued holding the box between them.
The brand new phone sat inside, untouched and waiting.
"Take it. It is for you from me."Aarav held the box out toward her, his expression calm
"I do not accept gifts from strangers."
Meera replied coldly.
Her chin lifted slightly in defiance as she deliberately avoided looking at the box.
Aarav blinked before letting out a short laugh.
"So now I am considered a stranger to you?"He raised an eyebrow.
His face despite the slight sting her words caused.
"Yes, you are.We have no reason to exchange gifts."Meera met his gaze directly this time, her eyes hard
The distance in her voice was impossible to miss.
For a moment, Aarav simply stared at her.Then he sighed.
"Just take the phone, Meera. You need it."His voice softened slightly as he placed the box on the nearby table.
" Mom told me your exams are starting soon.And you cannot study properly without a phone. You need it, so do not make this difficult." He said and tried to make her understand.
A
Meera immediately pushed the box back toward him.
"I do not need your charity, Aarav.I can manage my studies on my own. I do not want to owe you anything."Her voice was sharp, almost offended.
Aarav leaned against her and a smirk slowly appeared on his lips.
"Who said I am giving this to you for free?I do not do charity like other people."The confidence in his voice made Meera pause.
His eyes gleamed mischievously.She frowned in confusion.
"Then why giving me this phone?"Her suspicious gaze shifted between Aarav and the box.
Aarav straightened slightly.
"You are going to help me with my upcoming project."His expression became more serious.
"I know you are the top student in the finance department.You will help me develop the work, and this phone serves as your payment." He answered.
There was genuine respect in his voice as he said it.
Meera's eyebrows shot upward.
For a second, she looked genuinely surprised.
"My exams are too close, and I do not have the time to help you with a major project." She also said that.
"You should find someone else." Meera shook her head firmly.
The refusal came quickly, but a hint of uncertainty lingered beneath it.
"It will not take up much of your time.You only need to assist me one day a week, and we can do it right here at home."Aarav answered immediately.
"It will not disrupt your study schedule.One day a week is still too much time to lose right now."His voice remained patient.
Meera narrowed her eyes.
"A finance project requires a lot of research and analysis. I cannot afford to lose hours focusing on your work." Her frustration began creeping back into her voice.
She spoke like someone desperately trying to protect every remaining hour before her exams.
"The research is already mostly complete.I only need your expertise to review the data and finalize the structure."Aarav replied calmly.
His gaze remained steady.
"It is a fair trade, and it solves your problem immediately." Aarav said.
Silence filled the room.Meera looked down at the box.
The shiny packaging reflected the light from the bedside lamp.
A phone. A experience phone which she need most now. She could not currently afford it.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the table.
She hated this.Yet she also knew he was right.
Without a phone, preparing for her exams would become much more difficult.
Aarav watched her quietly.He did not pressure her.
He simply waited.
Finally····
After what felt like an eternity, Meera released a slow breath.
"Fine.One day a week.And only until the project is structured.Nothing more."The word came out reluctantly.
Meera immediately pointed a warning finger at him.
Aarav's lips twitched upward in victory.Aarav's smile widened slightly.
"Deal , Ms Sharma."The satisfaction in his voice was impossible to hide.